Listening Party

The narrow alleyway was quiet this time of day, as it was most days. The light patter of feet echoed down the rows of brick, Icarus walked alongside Steel Horse. The Uniqor carrying a basket around its neck, and Icarus holding a long box in their arms. Today was another CD pickup, and while the vendors for this long outdated media were scarce, Icarus had enough connection in the market to befriend a media manager. They sold off stock of new and upcoming artist's albums in bulk, in this case Icarus had first pick. 

With their bounty in hand, Icarus approached the inconspicuous door. Still adorned with a faded 'Open' sticker slapped in the middle. Setting the box on the ground, they pulled the handle and ushered Steel Horse into the record store. Once they had the new CDs unpackaged and out on the counter to peruse, they fished a tofu chip from a bag under the counter. Tossing it to the patient Uniqor before it ran off into the back of the store. Now, it was time to personally review the albums. 

Before anything, Icarus pulled open a drawer under the counter. Inside laid a single pair of old and scuffed looking headphones. Unlike the other headphones littered around the aisle of the store for customer listening, these were special. Icarus couldn't help but feel like music just sounded better in these headphones. The quality was unlike anything they could find in stores or online. The muffs also didn't feel too uncomfortable when worn for extended periods. If anything, they were the best headphones that they'd ever used. 

On top of that, Icarus had never heard an album they didn't like while using these headphones. It could simply be their lack of judgment for a variety of genres and styles, but the odds of liking every song was still rare. Perhaps the headphones had a little bit of luck to them, that made the songs sound exactly as they were intended to. From underground garage band demos to fully fleshed out studio albums, the vibes were always perfect. 

Fishing out the portable CD player, Icarus plugged in the aux, blindly grabbing a case from the basket. The first album looked to be one they'd been anticipating. A follow up to the self-titled album by Childhood Heathens. Putting the disc into the player left Icarus with a warm feeling as the gentle static began. Accompanying the soft acoustics and sweet harmonies, a light layer of background noise uninterrupted by the bustle of Burrowgatory. The band was a couple in their apartment together, nothing much for equipment. But the songs were real, and emotional. 

The first album was a smash hit, hopefully the next would follow suit. Pulling a new case from the long box that sat beside them left Icarus intrigued. A classic swing album. Not much jazz got passed around in the music scene, so any was highly sought after and appreciated. Especially from new artists peeking out over the horizon. Placing the CD in allowed the smooth sax and dancing keys to dominate the tracks. Each arpeggiated melody felt like its own journey. Some songs felt romantic and close, others like the whole room could tap along. 

Each album was back to back delight on the ears. But Icarus knew in their gut that these headphones were on their last legs, years of use and overuse wearing down the internal speakers. But with the quality of these tracks, the best audio was required. These were the original headphones that Murmur had given to Icarus in their youth. While other children were playing sports, or snacking on sweets. Icarus was obsessed with music, intently listening to the musically inclined buns singing, or Murmurs records meant to lull the rest to sleep. These old school headphones were a personal effect of Murmur that Icarus couldn't seem to part with.

Now they were reminiscing. Icarus stopped, putting the CDs back into their cases before setting them aside for later. They didn't quite feel like shelving a hundred CD cases right that moment. Taking the old headphones and wearing them just behind their ears, they shuffled into the back room. Swaddled up together, Stirling and Steel Horse laid in the middle of the bed seemingly tangled on one another. The shoddy wooden desk by the door housing Smash and Grace, both seemed to emote slightly when Icarus entered. Lastly, Bonito laid comfortably on their back in the middle of the room. 

A gentle smile crossed Icarus face as they sat down in their comfy chair. A large rotating track stereo system sat close enough that they could reach over with the headphone cord and plug it in. A selection Icarus' favourite albums on demand. They closed their eyes, and pressed the play button.